Window latch



Patented Apr. 27, 1954 f 'r UNI TED S OFF 2,676,824 WINDOW LATCH OttoGessler, Detroit, Mich.

Application July 22, 1950,.Seria-1Na 175,337

3Claim's. (Cl. 292-87") This invention relates to window latches.

, One object of this inventionis to provide a window latch which isattachable to a sliding sash of a window so as to lock the sash firmlyin position and defeat the efforts of intruders to open the window fromthe outside.

Another object is to provide a window latch of the foregoing characterwhich is of simple construction in the form of a stamping which isreadily attachable by means of only two screws, one of which serves as amounting and pivot element for the fastener and the other as the keeperfor the fastener.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the inside of a window showing a windowlatch attached thereto, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 22 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken along theline 33 in Figure'l Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section takenalong the line 4--4 in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the latch element employed inthe window latch.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 shows a conventionalwindow, generally designated H), of the double-hung sliding sash varietyincluding the usual frame, generally designated with upper and lowersliding sash units, generally designated I2 and I3 respectively. Thewindow latch, generally designated I4, is shown as applied to the lowersash unit l3 but it could obviously be applied as well to the upper sashunit I2.

The window latch l4 (Figure 5) consists of a latch member, generallydesignated |5, in the form of a stamping having a base portion I6 with ahole I! therein and parallel wings |9 projecting outwardly substantiallyat right angles to the base I6 and spaced apart from one another byapproximately the width of the base 16. The wings |9 serve as handlesadapted to be grasped by the fingers of the operator, as described inconnection with the operation of the invention. From one end of the baseIS an arm extends outwardly and rearwardly at approximately 45 degreesinclination to the base IS, the arm 2. having a tongue 2| projectingforwardly from the outer end 22 thereof. The tongue 2| is substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of the base l6 and has a U-shaped notch 23facing forwardly. A bulge 24 is provided in the arm 20 to provide aspace for the head 25 of a screw 26 which serves as a keeper and whichis screwed into the window frame II in a direction substantiallyparallel to vthei'frame of the window pane2l which is mounted in thesash frame 28 of'the sash .12 or I3.

The latch member 15 is mounted on the sash frame 28 by means of a screw29 which passes through the hole I! into the sash frame 28 and which hasa compression coil spring 30 coiled around the shank 3| thereof. Theoutermost convolution of the spring 30 is large enough to admit theshank 3| of the screw 29 but small enough to exclude the head 32. Inthis manner, the coil spring 30 abuts the screw head 32 and urges thebase It toward the sash frame 28.

In the operation of the invention, the latch member l5 and screws 25 and29 are installed in the relative positions shown in Figures 1 and 3, sothat the notch 23 in the tongue 2| slips behind the head 33 of the screw25 and holds it firmly when the coil spring 30 has urged the latchmember l5 substantially against the sash frame 28 (Figures 1 and 3). Inthis position, the window sash I3 is securely locked against the windowframe II in the slightly raised position of the window sash l3. Thewindow latch l4 may obviously be placed at any position to permit thewindow sash l3 to be raised to a height at which it is fully open oronly partly open.

To open the window and release the latch M, the operator, who is ofcourse inside the room in which the window I0 is located, faces theinner side of the window and, grasping the wings I!) between his thumband forefinger, pulls the latch member l5 toward himself, compressingthe spring 30 and pulling the notch 23 of the tongue 2| out ofengagement with the keeper screw 25. When thus unlatched, the sash I3may be raised or lowered as desired.

In this manner, the invention provides a window latch of simpleconstruction and of inexpensive cost of manufacture which may be readilyapplied to any sliding sash window of conventional construction. Thewindow latch of the present invention may be installed by thehouseholder and does not require the services of a skilled workman, suchas a carpenter. Its simplicity of construction makes it easilymanufactured by quantity production methods in punch presses at a lowcost of production which brings it within the reach of everyone.

What I claim is:

1. A window latch for use with a keeper comprising a latch member havinga base portion with a handle portion comprising spaced wings projectingfrom said base portion and disposed transversely thereto and akeeper-engaging portion likewise projecting from said base portion, alatch member support engaging and retaining said latch member inposition, and a resilient element disposed between said wings andyieldingly urging said keeper-engaging portion into engagement with saidkeeper.

2. A Window latch for use with a keeper comprising a latch member havinga base portion with a handle portion comprising spaced wings projectingfrom said base portion and disposed transversely thereto and akeeper-engaging portion likewise projecting from said base portion andincluding an arm inclined relatively to said base portion, said armhaving a keeper-engaging recess therein, a latch member support engagingand retaining said latch member in position, and a resilient elementdisposed between said wings and yieldingly urging said keeper-engagingportion into engagement with said keeper.

3. A window latch for use with a keeper cornprising a latch memberhaving a base portion with a handle portion comprising spaced wingsprojecting from said base portion and disposed transversely thereto anda keeper-engaging por tion likewise projecting from said base portionand including an arm inclined relatively to said base portion, said armhaving an end portion inclined relatively to the remainder of said armand disposed substantially perpendicularly to said base portion said endportio having a keeperengaging recess therein, a latch member supportengaging and retaining said latch member in position, and a resilientelement disposed between said wings and yieldingly urging saidkeeper-engaging portion into engagement with said keeper.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 889,484 Parker June 8, 1908 1,553,339 Traumuller Sept. 15,1925 2,074,501 Cline Mar. 23, 1937 2,225,163 Dohrman Dec. 17, 1940

